Haven by Aldar – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Client
- Aldar
Project Value 
N/A
Market
Urban Development
Services
Design
Haven is a residential project by, Abu Dhabi based real estate company, Aldar. The project marks the company’s first residential development in Dubai and is a testament to the collaboration between Aldar and Parsons which dates back to 2006.
Haven is centered around the creation of a green, human-centric development and wellness-focused community. Spanning over 100 hectares, the project is envisioned as a walkable community featuring villas, townhouses, and integrated amenities connected by landscapes and streams leading to a central oasis. Designed with the principles of connectivity and community engagement. The objective was to design a community that prioritizes sustainable living while fostering health and well-being and all design work by Parsons was delivered by the team based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Haven – Aldar’s First Residential Wellness Community in Dubai
The project is comprised of expansive open spaces designed for all age groups, communal gardens, yoga hubs, and the signature ‘Treehouse’ community lounge – aimed at fostering social interaction and community spirit, while fitness zones, running tracks, sensory footpaths, and meditation areas aim to promote active living. The masterplan incorporates multiple pedestrian loops and green avenues for park access and community connectivity. Parsons provided comprehensive design services for the Haven project, spanning from initial visioning and concept development to detailed master planning, design, tender services, and ongoing construction support
Sustainable Living
Sustainability anchors Haven’s design strategy. The relocation of mature Ghaf trees, the national tree of the UAE, and the planting of more than 3,600 trees and palms support and enhance local biodiversity while creating a microclimate-friendly backdrop. Landscaped corridors provide access to parks, amenities, and nature-centric routes throughout the community.
Aldar and Parsons collaborated to transform what was once an empty, large-scale site into a cohesive, wellness-focused community built on four pillars:
- Centrality
- Movement
- Human Connection
- Wellness
The masterplan integrates shaded pedestrian paths, social green spaces, and resilient infrastructure such as smart irrigation and EV-ready mobility solutions.
Haven redefines residential living in Dubai, setting benchmarks for healthy, sustainable, and community-oriented urban developments, including:
- 4 community centers, including one premium community center
- Dedicated Treehouse amenity
- 3 km of dedicated cycling tracks
- 4 km of dedicated jogging trails
- 6 natural water streams
- 3 cascading water features
- 13 outdoor fitness zones
- 12 children’s play areas
- Padel court
- Multi-Use Games Area sports court
- Reflexology walking paths
- Floating yoga decks alongside water streams
- More than 3,600 trees and palms
- Fitwel 3-Star Community certification
- LEED-certified sustainable development
Quality That Is Globally Recognized
Haven by Aldar required aligning sustainability frameworks with innovative urban design and infrastructure solutions.
As the first community in the Middle East and Africa to secure the distinguished 3-star Fitwel Community Rating, a globally recognized certification, Haven sets a local precedent for health-centric urban planning.
The attainment of the LEED Cities and Communities Gold Pre-certification underscores a rigorous commitment to environmentally responsible and human-centric master planning, emphasizing metrics such as energy efficiency, resource conservation, and enhanced livability.
Our Scope
- Master planning
- Landscape and Public Realm
- Sustainability Accreditations
- Smart Cities Strategies
- Roads and Traffic Design
- Wet and Dry Infrastructure Design
- Signage and Wayfinding Design
- Security Design
- Planning and Services Authorities Approvals
- Construction Supervision
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- Aerial View Of The Full Residential Development
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- Aerial Closeup Of Residential Development At Haven
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- Outdoor Community Courts At Haven
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- Haven Waterfront Promenade
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- Haven Community Pool
Awards and Recognition
In 2024, we won BIM Project of the Year at the Construction Technology Awards for our innovative use of BIM on Aldar Haven, enhancing design coordination, collaboration, cost control, and resource efficiency while supporting the project’s LEED Cities & Communities and Fitwel Community certifications. Here is a short interview of our team accepting the award for their work on the Haven community.
